ABC did well counter-programming originals against the big NFC Championship game on Fox, which dominated the night. Freshman Once Upon A Time (3.2/7 in 18-49, 9.3 million viewers) was down only a tenth from last week. Veteran Desperate Housewives (2.6/5, 7.5 million) also dropped only a tenth from last week, while Pan Am (1.3/3, 3.9 million) was even with its fast national and up a tenth from the final. CBS played it safe with reruns and a new Undercover Boss (2.2/5, 9.2 million) at 8 PM, which was down 27% from last week. After getting several lifelines early in its run, NBC’s Prime Suspect didn’t stand a chance in its final foray last night with two back-to-back originals against the big game. The series’ penultimate epiosde posted a 0.8/2, while the finale managed a 0.7/2, closing the show with a series low. The highest-rated entertainment program last night aired outside of primetime: The start of a special episode ofAmerican Idol (7.9, 19.8 million viewers) was pushed by the NFC Championship game’s overtime to a 10:57 PM start. Because of the delay, Fox will rerun the episode tomorrow night at 8 PM, pre-empting a Glee repeat.

7 Comments

jennifer • on Jan 23, 2012 10:32 am

Happy abc dramas held up well. “Once upon a time” is a good program which I’ve enjoyed so far. “Desperate Housewives” is having a good final season. So far,the ladies of Wisteria Lane have reminded me of why I fell in love with the show during its’ first couple of seasons. The writing on D.H. this season has been much improved,but,alas it is too little,too late,(as it is its’final season). Hopefully the series finale will do big numbers.Thank you.

brutony • on Jan 23, 2012 10:32 am

DH is having a good final season? When did you start watching it, 2 years ago? Is it better than the last few years-yes, but its a mere shadow of its former self! It was quite DUMB of ABC and NBC running originals vs NFL! Even my wife, who loves both ABC shows, was watching the game-a DUH, ABC!

Joseph • on Jan 23, 2012 10:32 am

Next year, no other network will air first-run programming against a prime-time NFL playoff game.

In fact, I suspect that ABC, CBS, and NBC probably now all wish they had been all-reruns last night (January 22nd).

Jake Gittes • on Jan 23, 2012 10:32 am

Pan Am was up. Good! Fun episode.

Herb Finn • on Jan 23, 2012 10:32 am

PAN AM = Dead Show Walking.

Jed • on Jan 23, 2012 10:32 am

Jake, Pan Am was up but just by a tenth and grant it, it’s better than not being up at all but it’s too little, too late for this show. This show is still trying to figure out what the hell it’s supposed to be about as last night’s episode was all about espionage and stuff and now it’s going on another two week break.

There are only two episodes left to the show (2/12 and the series finale on 2/19, which it’s going to be that), so let’s enjoy it while it’s still on the air. The less of Christne Ricci and her awful acting that I see of her, the better. She is just terrible.

Jake • on Jan 23, 2012 10:32 am

Well it’s ridiculous that housewives has done this year after year but then next week when there is no competition, they air a repeat. Zero sense